Chapter13: A Silent Secret
Rina's mother stayed in the hospital for only one night. In those cold hallways, Diari and Rina grew closer, sharing the weight of exhaustion and the warmth of newfound companionship. Sitting side by side, Diari looked at Rina and said, "Rina, don't let sadness consume you. You are very important to me, and I'm so glad I met you." Rina replied softly, "I feel the same, Diari. But look at us—yesterday we were under the trees, and today we are in a hospital. That is life." With a heavy heart, she added, "Sometimes I feel the weight of the whole world is on my shoulders, but I won't give up. I am strong, and I will overcome this."
As they shared their deepest thoughts, the doctors arrived with good news: Rina's mother was regaining consciousness. Rina was overwhelmed with joy. Diari, acting like family rather than a stranger, kissed the mother's hand and whispered, "Thank God you're back, Auntie. We missed your presence."
In the same hospital, Leva's condition worsened. An ambulance rushed her in, but Rina made sure their paths didn't cross. While Leva's mother was asleep, Rina quietly watched Leva from a distance. Her heart ached for her, despite the painful past. Later, Diari brought coffee and remarked, "A person reaps what they sow. Leva tried to dig a hole for you, but she fell into it herself." Exhausted, Rina talked about her life until she fell asleep on Diari's shoulder. In that moment, Diari felt a profound sense of responsibility, as if he had to protect her entire world.
The next morning, Rina woke up embarrassed. "I'm so sorry I fell asleep on you," she said. Diari smiled warmly, "That's not a problem at all, Rina." After being discharged, they headed home. Rina kissed her mother, expressing her deep love, and then immersed herself in her office work. Meanwhile, Diari told his mother about the accident, and they promised to visit Rina's mother the following day.
Late that night, Diari called Rina, only to find her still working. "Rina, don't make me angry," he said protectively. "Go to sleep now; the work can wait until tomorrow."
The next morning, Diari and his mother arrived at Rina's house with a bouquet of flowers. The two mothers reunited, sharing memories of the previous day's picnic. However, Diari noticed his mother's hands trembling with fatigue and realized it was time to leave. Meanwhile, Leva's fate was sealed; as her health stabilized, the police informed her she was headed to prison. While others visited family in hospitals, she was destined for a cell.
That night, in the silence of their home, Rina's mother pulled out an old album. Crying, she looked at a photo of Rina's father. "Why aren't you with us?" she whispered. "I've hidden the truth from Rina all this time—the truth that you are still alive."
Rina saw the photo from a distance. Her mother quickly hid it, trembling. "Who is that man? His eyes look just like mine," Rina asked. Her mother lied, "I don't know... it's just an old photo that happened to be here. It's not important." But deep down, the mother's heart broke, knowing she was keeping the biggest secret of Rina's life.
> Life is full of secrets that mothers hide in their hearts to protect their children. Rina thought her father was just a name from the past, but that photo and her mother's denial became the seeds of a great doubt in her mind.
Written by: Dlin_myth